Ezekiel 17

1 et factum est verbum Domini ad me dicens

2 fili hominis propone enigma et narra parabolam ad domum Israhel

3 et dices haec dicit Dominus Deus aquila grandis magnarum alarum longo membrorum ductu plena plumis et varietate venit ad Libanum et tulit medullam cedri

4 summitatem frondium eius avellit et transportavit eam in terram Chanaan in urbem negotiatorum posuit illam

5 et tulit de semente terrae et posuit illud in terra pro semine ut firmaret radicem super aquas multas in superficie posuit illud

6 cumque germinasset crevit in vineam latiorem humili statura respicientibus ramis eius ad eam et radices eius sub illa erunt facta est ergo vinea et fructificavit in palmites et emisit propagines

7 et facta est aquila altera grandis magnis alis multisque plumis et ecce vinea ista quasi mittens radices suas ad eam palmites suos extendit ad illam ut inrigaret eam de areolis germinis sui

8 in terra bona super aquas multas plantata est ut faciat frondes et portet fructum et sit in vineam grandem

9 dic haec dicit Dominus Deus ergone prosperabitur nonne radices eius evellet et fructum eius distringet et siccabit omnes palmites germinis eius et arescet et non in brachio grandi neque in populo multo ut evelleret eam radicitus

10 ecce plantata est ergone prosperabitur nonne cum tetigerit eam ventus urens siccabitur et in areis germinis sui arescet

11 et factum est verbum Domini ad me dicens

12 dic ad domum exasperantem nescitis quid ista significent dic ecce venit rex Babylonis Hierusalem et adsumet regem et principes eius et adducet eos ad semet ipsum in Babylonem

13 et tollet de semine regni ferietque cum eo foedus et accipiet ab eo iusiurandum sed et fortes terrae tollet

14 ut sit regnum humile et non elevetur sed custodiat pactum eius et servet illud

15 qui recedens ab eo misit nuntios ad Aegyptum ut daret sibi equos et populum multum numquid prosperabitur vel consequetur salutem qui fecit haec et qui dissolvit pactum numquid effugiet

16 vivo ego dicit Dominus Deus quoniam in loco regis qui constituit eum regem cuius fecit irritum iuramentum et solvit pactum quod habebat cum eo in medio Babylonis morietur

17 et non in exercitu grandi neque in populo multo faciet contra eum Pharao proelium in iactu aggeris et in extructione vallorum ut interficiat animas multas

18 spreverat enim iuramentum ut solveret foedus et ecce dedit manum suam et cum omnia haec fecerit non effugiet

19 propterea haec dicit Dominus Deus vivo ego quoniam iuramentum quod sprevit et foedus quod praevaricatus est ponam in caput eius

20 et expandam super eum rete meum et conprehendetur sagena mea et adducam eum in Babylonem et iudicabo illum ibi in praevaricatione qua despexit me

21 et omnes profugi eius cum universo agmine gladio cadent residui autem in omnem ventum dispergentur et scietis quia ego Dominus locutus sum

22 haec dicit Dominus Deus et sumam ego de medulla cedri sublimis et ponam de vertice ramorum eius tenerum distringam et plantabo super montem excelsum et eminentem

23 in monte sublimi Israhel plantabo illud et erumpet in germen et faciet fructum et erit in cedrum magnam et habitabunt sub eo omnes volucres universum volatile sub umbra frondium eius nidificabit

24 et scient omnia ligna regionis quia ego Dominus humiliavi lignum sublime et exaltavi lignum humile et siccavi lignum viride et frondere feci lignum aridum ego Dominus locutus sum et feci

Ezekiel 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

A parable relative to the Jewish nation. (1-10) to which an explanation is added. (11-21) A direct promise of the Messiah. (22-24)

Verses 1-10 Mighty conquerors are aptly likened to birds or beasts of prey, but their destructive passions are overruled to forward God's designs. Those who depart from God, only vary their crimes by changing one carnal confidence for another, and never will prosper.

Verses 11-21 The parable is explained, and the particulars of the history of the Jewish nation at that time may be traced. Zedekiah had been ungrateful to his benefactor, which is a sin against God. In every solemn oath, God is appealed to as a witness of the sincerity of him that swears. Truth is a debt owing to all men. If the professors of the true religion deal treacherously with those of a false religion, their profession makes their sin the worse; and God will the more surely and severely punish it. The Lord will not hold those guiltless who take his name in vain; and no man shall escape the righteous judgment of God who dies under unrepented guilt.

Verses 22-24 The unbelief of man shall not make the promise of God of none effect. The parable of a tree, used in the threatening, is here presented in the promise. It appears only applicable to Jesus, the Son of David, the Messiah of God. The kingdom of Satan, which has borne so long, so large a sway, shall be broken, and the kingdom of Christ, which was looked upon with contempt, shall be established. Blessed be God, our Redeemer is seen even by the ends of the earth. We may find refuge from the wrath to come, and from every enemy and danger, under his shadow; and believers are fruitful in him.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 17

Under the simile of two eagles and a vine are represented the kings of Babylon and Egypt, and the condition of the Jews, who are threatened with ruin for their perfidy; and yet a promise is made of the raising up of the house of Judah, and family of David, in the Messiah. The prophet is bid to deliver a riddle or parable to the house of Israel, Eze 17:1,2. The riddle or parable is concerning two eagles and a vine, which is delivered, Eze 17:3-10; and the explanation of it is in Eze 17:11-15; and then the destruction of the Jews is threatened for their treachery to the king of Babylon, Eze 17:16-21; and the chapter is closed with a promise of the Messiah, and the prosperity of his kingdom, Eze 17:22-24.